Building wall section fabricating machine

ABSTRACT

A machine for fabricating a section of the wall of a building, especially of the wood frame type, which receives and retains the studs and plates in proper relationship and nails them together while in such relationship to form the frame for the wall section. The machine is also designed to receive and retain sheets of sheathing on the frame in proper relationship to the frame and, while in such relationship, to attach the sheets properly to the frame.

United States Patent 1 Fry 11] 3,711,007 [451 Jan. 16, 1973 [54] BUILDING WALL SECTION FABRICATING MACHINE |76| Inventor: Arnold II. Fry, 3182 Grey Fox Drive, Gahanna, Ohio 43230 [22] Filed: Nov. 12, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 88,889

[52] U.S. Cl ..227/l01, 227/152 [51] Int. Cl. ..B27f 7/02 [58] Field of Search ..227/3, 6, 7, 76, 99, 100, 101, 227/152, 153; 269/321 F; 144/288 R, 288 C,

134 B, 134 C, 150, 3 R

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Washington et al ..227/101 I-Iaskins 227/3 2,626,643 1/1953 Kantzler ..269/32l F X 3,091,769 6/1963 Bell ct al ..227/l()3 X 3,26l,527 7/1966 Sterner i .227/152 X 3,538,967 ll/l97() Hensley 143/47 R X 3,592,376 7/1971 Moehlenpah ..227/152 X Primary Examiner-Granville Y. Custer, Jr. Att0mey-Mah0ney, Miller 8L Stebens [57] ABSTRACT A machine for fabricating a section of the wall of a building, especially of the wood frame type, which receives and retains the studs and plates in proper relationship and nails them together while in such relationship to form the frame for the wall section. The machine is also designed to receive and retain sheets of sheathing on the frame in proper relationship to the frame and, while in such relationship, to attach the sheets properly to the frame.

15 Claims, 23 Drawing Figures Pmizmfiummma 3.711.007 SHEET OZUF 12 I l l INVENTOR. ARNOLD H. FRY

BY MAHONEY, MIL ER TEBENS ATTORNEYS PATENTEUJAH 16 1975 SHEET 03 0F 12 mii INVENTOR. ARNOLD H. FRY

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BY MAHON EY, MILLER TEBENS M8 E11) ATTORNEYS PATENTEDJAN 16 I975 3.711.007 sum on HF 12 INVENTOR. ARNOLD H. FRY

BY MAHONEY, Ml LER T BENS ATTORNEYS PATENTEDJAR I6 I975 SHEET USUF 12 INVENTOR.

MAHONEY, MILLER & STEBENS PATENTED JAN 1 6 I975 SHEET UBUF 12 I NVEN TOR. RNOLD H. FRY

NEY, MILLER s EBENS Mil/fill ATTORNEYS HO BY PATENTED JAN 16 I975 SHEET D7UF 12 INVENTOR, ARNOLD H. FRY

BY E MAHONEY. MILLER TEBENS ATTORNEYS PATENTED AH 16 ms 3.711.007. SHEET UEUF 12 INVENTOR. ARNOLD H. FRY

BY MAHONE Y. MILLER STEBENS I J BY W 5,52%") ATTORNEYS PATENTEDJMI 16 I975 3.711.607

,9 7 I F /F 1 \1 k I INVENTOR. i %*s ARNOLD H. FRY

BY s P MAHONEY,MI LER. s EBENS 311 E 15 BY W BMW ATTORNEYS PATENTEDJAHIBIEWS 3.711.007 SHEET llUF 12 INVENTOR. ARNOLD H. FRY

BY MAHO/VEY, /LL 575m Mm ATTORNEYS BUILDING WALL SECTION FABRICATING MACHINE At the present time, it is customary, in building wood frame buildings, for carpenters to assemble and nail the frame members, such as the studs and upper and lower plates, at the building site, to form frames for wall sections. These frame members are usually assembled on a flat surface to form the frame section and later erected in place. It is difficult for the carpenters to cut the members accurately, hold them in exact relationship during nailing, and keep them in exact relationship until the frame sections are erected in place in the building. After' each frame section is erected, and sometimes before erection, sheets of insulating sheathing are usually attached to the frame section. Here again, there is a problem of locating the sheets on the frame sections and keeping them accurately positioned thereon until they are fastened thereto. Furthermore, all of these operations are time-consuming and require the services of several skilled carpenters working together with a resultant high labor cost.

The present invention provides a wall section fabricating machine of the general type indicated which is portable for ease of movement from one building site to another. It is of such a nature that it can receive the materials to be assembled into the wall section, perform the necessary assembling and joining operations to form the wall section and permit removal of the completed wall section. No handling of the materials by the operator is necessary during the joining operations and the various members are held in proper accurate relative positions during the joining operations by suitable positioning and holding means on the machine. Relatively low-cost labor can be used to operate the machine and will eliminate the need of several skilled carpenters to perform the same amount of work. The machine is so designed that it will be safe in operation so that there is substantially no danger of injury to the operator and will not damage or waste materials.

The best mode contemplated in carrying out my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. I is a plan view of the building wall section fabricating machine.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the mounting of a removable frame extension on the machine at its one end.

FIG. 3 is a similar view, but showing the mounting of removable frame extensions at the other end of the machine.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the machine.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view showing one-half of the bed frame of the machine, the line a-b indicating where it joins to the other half shown in FIG. 5a.

FIG. 5a is a similar view showing the other half of the bed frame of the machine, the line a'b indicating where itjoins to the other half shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view taken along line 66 of FIG. 5a.

FIG. 7 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 5a.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view, partly broken away, taken along line 88 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view, partly broken away, taken on line 10-10 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged detail in elevation taken from the point indicated at line l1-ll in FIG. 6.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken along line l212 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating an initial step in the nailing of plates and studding members of a wall frame section with my machine.

FIG. 14 is a similar view illustrating the progression of the nailing of the frame members with my machine.

FIG. 15 is a similar view illustrating the position of insulation board on the nailed frame section.

FIG. 16 is a similar view illustrating the operation of stapling the board to the frame section.

FIG. 17 is a similar view illustrating the completed wall section.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view illustrating the action of I the stapling guns when they are moved into association with a wall frame section having an opening.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view taken along line 19-19 of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view taken on line 20-20 of FIG. 5 through the machine, illustrating a routing unit mounted on the machine for cutting openings, such as door or window openings.

FIG. 21 is an enlarged sectional view taken along lines 2l-2l of FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram of the fluid control p and operating circuit for the machine.

With specific reference to the drawings, I have illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 the general arrangement of my machine. It is built as a trailer unit which may be towed by a suitable truck or tractor to any building site. As indicated, the trailer includes the chassis 25, which is of the usual construction, and this chassis carries the bed frame 26 of my machine which extends longitudinally of the chassis. Mounted on this bed frame for movement back and forth from one end to the other is a transversely extending carriage 30. This carriage, as will later appear, will carry various power tool units and other power units of my machine.

As indicated in the drawings, the chassis includes a frame made up of three longitudinally extending members 31 disposed in transversely spaced, parallel relationship and connected rigidly together by transverse members 32 disposed at longitudinally spaced intervals. At longitudinally spaced intervals along each of the outer side frame members 31, adjustable telescoping leg units 33 are provided. Each of these leg units comprises an outer square tubular member 34 (FIG. 6) which is welded in upright position to the outer surface of the adjacent longitudinal frame-member or beam 31. Telescoped upwardly within the member 34 and slidable therein is a hollow leg member 35 of complemental square outline which has a foot 36. The members 34 and 35 are provided with a series of openings 37 which may be brought into alignment by vertical telescoping adjustment of the member 35 relative to the member 34. When suitably adjusted, a bolt 38 may be inserted to hold these members in such relative adjustment. The chassis 25, during transportation, is supported by wheels 39, but when the building site is reached, the leg units 33 may be adjusted to support the chassis frame in a level position.

The front end of the chassis frame has a forwardly extending tongue unit 40 by means of which'it may be pulled. This tongue also provides a support for an upstanding pedestal 41 which rotatably supports the mast of a hoist 42. This hoist also includes the boom 43 which may be in the form of an I-beam. When this boom is swung over the chassis, it will extend substantially to the mid-point of the length thereof. On the boom 43 for movement therealong is mounted a carriage 44 and supported by this carriage for vertical movement is a sling 45 which has depending fixed clamping jaw 46 and pivotally mounted clamping jaw 46a actuated by means of an air-cylinder 47 controlled by a manually operated air valve 49. (interconnecting air lines are not shown for reasons of clarity of illustration.) This sling 45 is moved vertically by means of a cable arrangement 48. The rear end of the chassis has an extension 50 which supports the pedestal 51 of a hoist 52 which is identical with the hoist 42. This extension includes 1 supports 53 which slidably telescope within longitudinal tubular guides 54 rigidly mounted at the rear end of the chassis frame. The extension 50 is retracted during transportation of the chassis, but is extended when the building site is reached. The two hoists 42 and 52 together can reach any place along the chassis.

As previously indicated, the chassis frame carries the bed-frame 26-which is the means for supporting the work or various members to be assembled by my machine into the building wall section. This bed-frame 26 extends substantially the full length of the chassis and is laterally adjustable so that it can be used for producing wall sections of different height or width which will be determined by the width of the adjustable frame.

The frame is composed of two longitudinal half-sections 26a and 26b, the section 26b being fixed to the chassis frame and the section 26a being adjustably mounted on the section 26b. The section 26b comprises a longitudinally extending box-frame member 55 (FIG. 5, a and 6) which is carried by upstanding brackets 56 that are rigidly mounted on the outer ends of inwardly extending tubular guide members 57. These members 57 are rigidly connected, as by welding, to one of the outer chassis frame members 31, and the middle chassis frame member 31 and are at right angles thereto. A pair of L-shaped members 58 are welded to and extend from the middle chassis frame member 31 and guide members 57 to the other outer chassis member 31. These members-58 are spaced apart the width of the guide members 57 (see FIG. 12) and have a plurality of spaced apart pins 59 carried by and extending horizontally between the L-shaped members 58. The frame section 26a comprises a longitudinally extending boxbeam member 60 which is carried by the upstanding brackets 61 welded to the outer ends of tubular members 62 extending inwardly of the frame members 31 and at right angles thereto and being at least partially supported on the pins 59. The members 62 (FIG. 12) telescope and slide within respective ones of the members 57 to laterally adjust the frame section 26a relative to the frame section 26b. Adjusting screws 63 having a wrench engageable head portion 63a are provided at the respective ends and intermediately of the frame 26 for making this adjustment. Each of these screws 63 is rotatably anchored at 64 (FIG. 6) to the adjacent tubular member 62 of the frame section 26a at its outer end, and is threaded through a sleeve 65 which is fixed on the frame section 26b being mounted on the adjacent members 57 thereof at its inner end. Thus, simultaneous rotation of the several screws 63 will move the adjustable frame section 26a laterally in and out relative to the fixed frame section 26b.

For transportation on the chassis, the frame section 26a will be retracted inwardly relative to the frame section 26b. When the work site is reached, thesection 26a may be extended, as desired, in accordance, with the height or width of the building section to be produced on the machine. At the time the section 26a is adjusted, the wheels 39 at that side of the chassis may be removed so as not to interfere with the adjustment.

When the frame extension 50 is moved to its extended position, the support beams and of the respective frame sections 26b and 26a are also extended by means of the removable extensions 55a and 60a. These are mounted by means of supports 55b and 60b which telescope within the respective adjacent members 55-55a and 6060a. Also, the forward ends of the respective beams 55 and 60 may be extended by means of the extensions 55c and 60c which are carried by the converging braces 66 and 67 that removably telescope within the respective converging arms of the V-shaped support 70 carried by the tongue extension 40 and the supports 55d and 60d which telescope with the adjacent members 55-55c and 60-60c. Telescoping leg support units 33a and 33b, like the units 33, may be provided at the outer ends of the respective extensions 55a, 60a and 55c, 60c. The beam extensions 55a, 60a and 55c, 600 may be removed during transporting of the chassis so as not to interfere with the pulling tractor when turning and to reduceoverall length.

As previously indicated, this machine is designed to receive the studs and plates of the frame of a wall section which is indicated in FIG. 13, the studs being designated S and the plates P. The machine will automatically nail these members together. The plates and studs are positioned on the bed-frame 26 of the machine with the plates P extending longitudinally thereof and having their lower edges resting on the respective longitudinal beams 55 and 60. The studs are disposed transversely of the frame 26, bridging the space between the beams 55 and 60 and having their lower edges adjacent their ends resting onthe respective beams. The opposite ends of the studs abut the inner surfaces of the respective plates P, since the plates will be located the proper distance apart and in parallel relationship by stops which project above the surface of the respective beams 55 and 60. These stops 75 are provided by the upper edges of plates 76 which are secured to the outer surfaces of the respective beams 55 and 60.

in order to locate the studs S at proper selected intervals along the bed-frame 26, pairs of opposed retaining saddle units 77 are provided on the respective beams 55 and 60.'These saddles 77 are U-shaped so that the studs may be dropped therein and are carried by depending yokes 78 which straddle longitudinal supports 79 of square cross section. These supports are carried by angles 80 which are welded to the inner surfaces of the respective beams 55 and 60 and are spaced slightly inwardly thereof so as to properly receive the yokes 78. The yokes 78 can be moved along the longitudinal supports 79 and can then be secured in selected adjusted positions by means of clamping bolts 81. Thus, the spacing of the studs S on the bed-frame 26 and relative to the plates P may be selected in accordance with the desired spacing of the studs in the completed wall frame section.

The carriage 30 is supported by movement longitudinally of the bed-frame 26 by means of tracks 85 which are in the form of rods welded to longitudinally extending angles 86 that are carried by the respective beams and being welded to the outer surfaces of the plates 76. Thus, the tracks will be supported on opposite sides of the bed-frame, will extend the full length thereof and will be disposed in parallel relationship on the bed-frame 26. Similar to the manner in which the stud-receiving saddles 77 are supported, cam members are supported. As will later appear, these cams will actuate the nailing guns carried by the carriage 30. These earns 90 are in number equal to the saddles 77 and are adapted to longitudinally align with the respective saddles at the opposite sides of the bedframe 26. At each side, these members are supported by longitudinal supports 91 similar to the supports 79. Each of these supports 91 is carried by several short sections of angle member 92 so that it is directly below the track 85 at that side. The angles 92 at the one side are welded to the outer ends of the guide-members S7 and the angle members 92 at the other side are welded to the outer ends of the tubular members 62. Each of the earns 90 is carried by a yoke 93 which straddles the cooperating member 91 and is adjustable therealong, each member 93 being clamped in adjusted position by means of a clamping bolt 94 carried thereby. Thus, the cam members 90 at opposite sides of the bed-frame may be adjusted longitudinally and spaced as desired, in accordance with the desired spacing of the studs S. As will later appear, the opposite pairs of earns 90 and stud-receiving saddles 77 will be in a common transverse plane during operation of the machine.

As previously indicated, the carriage 30 is adapted to move back and forth along the bed-frame 26 during the operation of the machine. The carriage includes a telescopic frame which is transversely adjustable in accordance with the spacing of the bed-frame beams 55 and 60 and the carriage supporting track members 85 carried thereby. The carriage is illustrated best in FIGS. 1, 4, 5, 5a, 7 to 10.

The telescopic carriage frame is shown as comprising relatively adjustable sections 30a and 30b. The frame of the section 30a comprises transversely extending forward and rearward beam sections 95, which telescope with similar forward and rearward beam sections 96 of the frame section 30b. The sections are joined together at their outer ends by a longitudinal brace 97 and the sections 96 are joined together at their outer ends by a brace 98 and at their inner ends by a brace 99. At the outer corners of each of the frame sections 30a and 30b is a depending rigid leg support 100. Longitudinally extending braces 100a at each side of the carriage rigidly join the lower ends of the legs 100. Each of the legs 100 carries near its lower end in a support housing 102 a grooved wheel 101 (FIGS. 7 and 8) which rests on the associated track 85 and rotates about a transverse axis.

A pair of vertically adjustable rollers 103 are provided at each end of the carriage 30 for engaging the upper edge of an associated plate P that is to be nailed to the studs S. Each roller 103 is carried on a horizontal axle 104, which is at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of movement of the carriage on a rod 105 that depends from a fluid-actuated cylinder 106, which is preferably air-actuated. The cylinders 106 are each carried by a respective bracket 107 attached to the associated leg 100. With this cylinder arrangement, the rollers 103 may be moved vertically to permit the initial mounting of the associated plates P and the removal of the assembled frame. As will later appear, during operation of the machine, the carriage 30 will roll along the tracks 85, through the medium of its four wheels 101, and simultaneously, the rollers 103 will engage the upper edges of plates P.

An additional roller 110 is provided at each side of the machine on a transverse horizontal axle 111 and is positioned beneath the adjacent angle 86 for propelling the carriage 30 along the tracks 85. This propelling roller 110 may be suitably driven such as by a respective hydraulic motor 112. The roller 110 and motor 112 are carried by a bracket 113 which is. carried on the respective support housing 102 for the wheels 101 secured to the legs 100 at that side. The bracket 113 is mounted for vertical adjustment by means of bolts and slots 113a, under the control of an adjusting screw 113b, to cause the roller 110 to properly engage the under surface of the angle 86. V

The control of the propelling motor 112, as well as other controls, may be provided as a bank of controls Vl-Vl0 (see FIG. 22) located at one end of the car riage 30 adjacent the upper side thereof. At this end of the carriage, an outwardly extending platform 114 may be provided at a lower level and upon which the operator may stand and may include a seat 114a. The frame section 301) of the carriage at its upper side will be provided with a power unit, preferably in the form of a gasoline operated engine 115 for portability, which will drive a hydraulic fluid pump 116 and an air pump 117. The carriage 30 may carry a hydraulic fluid reservoir 118 and a pair of air-tanks 119 suitably connected to hydraulic motors 112 and the cylinders 106 and other air-operated units on the carriage. Operation of the control-system will be further explained in subsequent paragraphs.

As indicated previously, the carriage 30 will carry power tool units including nailing guns suitable for nailing the plates P to the opposite ends of the studs S. These nailing guns can be of any type readily available on the market and one type which I have found espe- -cially suitable is operated by air pressure, although other types could be used. I prefer to mount two of the guns on each side of the carriage 30 so that the plates P are simultaneously nailed to a pair of the studs S at opposite ends thereof. Thus, in FIGS. 8 and 10, l have illustrated two of these guns generally by the numerals 120. Each of the guns comprises a magazine 121 for the spikes with a barrel outlet 124 at its lower end, directed inwardly, so that as the spikes are successively forced from the gun, upon actuation thereof, they will enter the associated plate P. The two guns at each side will be fixed to the associated support 100a in longitudinally spaced relationship and will be so supported thereon that the respective outlets 124 will be at different levels so that the spikes will be forced through the plate P adjacent both its upper and lower edges. Also, the guns 120 are preferably mounted by means permitting vertical adjustment as by vertical posts 123 slidably fitting in sockets formed with the support 100a and secured at the appropriate elevation by clamp bolts 123a. This adjustment permits nailing of plates P at the appropriate point and readily covers a range of 2-6 inches. Each gun will be actuated by means of its respective air valve 122 secured to the support 100a in vertical alignment with the guns and having a depend ing trigger 122a that aligns with the respective outlet 124. These triggers 122a will successively engage the succeeding cams 90 :as the carriage is propelled along the tracks 85.-Each of the air valves 122 is slidably mounted for vertical movement on a bracket 125 carried by the support 100a. An air cylinder 129 is connected between the bracket 125 and a plate 125a mounted for sliding movement on the bracket with the valve 122 secured to the plate 125a. The cylinders 129 may be operated to lift the valves 122 and associated triggers 122a upwardly from their normal position so that the triggers will not engage the cams 90. Each of the guns 120 carries at its lower end a bracket 126 which supports a pair of'plate-engaging rollers 127 mounted for rotation about a vertical axis and so positioned that their inner surfaces are in a common plane with the inner surface of the adjacent stop 75 so that they will engage the inner surface of a plate P positioned against that stop. The brackets 126 are carried by spring-pressed plungers 128 at the lower ends of the guns. The springs of the plungers normally bias the brackets outwardly so that the rollers will engage the associated plate P and aid in keeping it in contact with the adjacent ends of the studs S during nailing.

Thus, as the carriage 30 is propelled along the bedframe 26, the guns 120 will be operated automatically in proper timed relationship by the triggers 122a engaging the cams 90. Since the earns 90 will be transversely aligned with the stud-receiving saddles 77 and the triggers 122a are transversely aligned with the guns 120, each time a stud S is reached, a gun will be actuated to nail the. plate to that stud. Also, the successive guns 120 will nail the same. stud S at different levels.

The carriage 30 is also adapted to support a plurality of stapling guns or units to be used in stapling wall board, such as insulating board or the like, to the upper side of the frame unit produced by this machine. The frame, consisting of the assembled plates P and studs S, will still be supported by the bed-frame 26 and the board B (FIG. or several of the boards will be positioned thereon. The carriage will be moved over the board and the stapling guns indicated generally by the numeral 130, will be passed thereover by movement of the carriage 30.

The manner in which the stapling guns 130 are carried by the carriage 30 is illustrated best in FIGS. 7 to 10. These guns 130 may be of a type readily available on the market and l have found an air-actuated type having triggers 131 depending from the lower end thereof to be suitable. This type of gun may only be actuated when the trigger is actuated as by the lower end of the gun and trigger being in engagement with the board B. They are suspended from the carriage 130 in a straight row transversely of the machine. All of the guns depend from a transverse beam support 132 that is of a length to accomodate the maximum extent of change in the lateral adjustment of the telescopic frame sections 30a and 30b of the carriage frame. Each of the guns is suspended from this beam support by means of spring plunger units 134, the springs of which bias the guns downwardly relative to the support. Limited upward movement of the guns will be permitted so as to compensate for any distortions or irregularities in the surface of the wallboard B, being stapled. As indicated, the guns 130 will be air-actuated and they can receive air through flexible conduits 135 connected thereto and to the supply manifold 136 extending across the carriage 30 at its upper side and which is of the same length as the transverse beam support 132. Supporting the transverse beam support 132 carrying the several stapling guns 130 and the manifold 136 are a pair of transverse tubular beams 133 disposed in the same horizontal plane. These beams 133 are suspended from the carriage frame sections 30a and 30b by brackets 137 formed from short sections of tubular stock of a configuration and size to slideably receive 7 the beams 133. These brackets 137 are mounted on cross beams 138 attached to the respective carriage frame sections 30a and 30b and are provided with clamp bolts 139 for securing the beams 133 in the desired relative position. This assembly permits expansion of the carriage frame section 30a and 30b to their maximum extent and positioning of the guns 130 at a desired location relative to the studs S and plates P.

In order to move the guns 130 vertically on the carriage 30 so as to move the triggers 131 into and out of contact with the board 13, the ends of the support beam 132 are carried by sub-carriages 140 mounted for vertical movement on the carriage 30. Each carriage 140 comprises a pair of grooves wheels 141 rigidly joined together in vertically spaced relationship and operating between a pair of tracks 142. The tracks 142 are carried on adjacent surfaces of spaced vertical supports 143 which depend from the beams 133 and are interconnected at their lower ends by a horizontal brace 144. The air supply manifold 136 is secured to two vertical supports 143 and remains in a fixed vertical position. For moving each of the sub-carriages 140 vertically, a cylinder and piston unit 145 is provided and is preferably air-actuated. Each unit 145 comprises a cylinder mounted on a shelf 146 attached to the horizontal brace 144.

The piston rod if the unit 145 extends upwardly and is pivotally connected at 147 to an outward extension 148 carried by the sub-carriage 140. Thus, simultaneous operation of the two cylinder and piston units 145 will move the carriages I40 and, therefore, the row of stapling guns 130 vertically. These cylinder and piston units 145 are controlled by a third control lever in the bank ofcontrol valves V1 V10.

ln FIGS. 20 and 21, l have illustrated how a routing tool 150 may be mounted on the carriage 30 for performing certain cutting operations, such as cutting window or door openings in the wallboard B similar to the opening 0 indicated in FIG. 18. This routing unit may be of any suitable type including the depending cutting blade 151 driven by an electric motor 152. The motor 152 is supported by a shelf 153 carried on the lower end of an upright support carriage plate 154. This carriage plate 154 carries grooved wheels 155 which are arranged in two vertical pairs that move vertically on the tracks 156 fixed to a vertically disposed carriage frame 157. This frame 157 carries the grooved support wheels 158 which are arranged in two horizontal pairs that cooperate with the pair of upper tracks 159 and the pair of lower tracks 160, respectively. These tracks 159 and 160 are carried by the respective pairs of vertically spaced, horizontally extending beams 159a and 1600 which are anchored at one end to the carriage frame section 30b and at the other end are slideably supported by the carriage frame section 30a. This will permit the adjustment of the width of the carriage 30. The router 150 may be moved vertically by means of a cylinder and piston until 161 which is connected at its lower end at 162 to the carriage plate 154 and at its upper end at 163 to the upper portion of the frame 157. Actuation of the unit 161 by its respective control valve will therefore move the plate 154 vertically relative to the frame 157 and position the cutting blade at a desired level.

The frame 157 can roll along the tracks 159 and 160, through the medium of the wheels 158, to position the routing unit 150 laterally of the machine as desired. For propelling the frame 157 back and forth across the carriage 30, a hydraulic motor 165 mounted on the frame 157 is provided for drivinga propelling roller 166 that engages the'lower surface of the lower one of the support beams 1590. A control lever is provided for the hydraulic motor 165 at the operators station.

With this arrangement, the routing unit 150 may be moved vertically of the bed-frame 26 by means of the unit 161 and transversely of the bed-frame 126 by means of the motor 165. It can be moved longitudinally of the bed-frame 26 by moving the carriage along that frame.

Selective control over operation of the several actuating components or elements is effected by the operator through manipulation of the fluid control valves V1 V10 that are conveniently located at the operators station onthe carriage 30. These actuating components or elements have been previously identified as to structure and function in association with the description of the related portion of the apparatus and will not be further described other than to indicate the control function of the valves. Interconnecting fluid lines or conduits were omitted from all drawings other than FIG. 22 for clarity of illustration. It will be noted in FIG. 22 that all fluid lines and conduits at the point of interconnection with a respective air cylinder are provided with a flow restrictor valve that is symbolically shown and not otherwise identified. These restrictor valves enable initial set-up of the machine by providing control over the speed of operation of the air actuated cylinder and piston units. The four cylinder and piston units 106 carrying the respective rollers 103 for holding down the plate P during the nailing operation are connected in pairs to respective control valves V1 and V2 which are of a three position, fourway, manual detent type. This permits utilization of only those rollers 103 leading the carriage 30 in the direction of movement through actuation of the respective pair of cylinder and piston units 106 at opposite ends of the carriage. Positioning of the air valves 122 and respective triggers 122a in operative relationship to the earns is effected by the independent cylinder and piston units 129 with these units also connected in pairs to a respective control valve V3, V4 so as to permit selective operation of either the upper or lower pair 1 of opposed nailing guns 120. The stapler beam support 132 is carried by the cylinder and piston units which are simultaneously controlled by the single valve V5. A single valve V6 is also provided for control of the cylinder and piston unit. 161 operative to raise or lower the router 152. Valves V3-V6 are similar to valves V1 and V2 with each of the valves having a tank part blocked in the center position and connected to the pressurized air source comprising the air pump 117 and air tanks 119. Valve 49 controlling the cylinder 47 on the sling 45 may also be the same type as valves V1-V6.

The motors 112 for propelling the carriage 30 an the motor for propelling the router support frame 157 are hydraulic, fixed displacement, reversible motors connected to the hydraulic pump 116 and reservoir 118 through respective control valves V7, V8, V9, and V10. Valves V7 and V9 are also of the three-position, fourwaymanual detent type while valves V8 and V10 are flow-control valves enabling the operator to control the speed of the carriage 30 and the traversing router support frame 157.

A source of suitable electric power is also provided for the router motor 152. This may be an electric power generator G also driven by the engine 115 or the router motor may be hydraulic or air operated. A control switch 152a is shown for selectively connecting the. router motor 152 to the power source.

In the use of this machine, as previously indicated, it can be readily transported to the building site by a towing vehicle connected to the tongue 40. For transportation, the bed-frame 26 will be retracted so that the machine will be of minimum width. The wheels 39 will all be in place, and the legs 33 raised. Furthermore, the carriage 30 will be retracted automatic-ally with the retraction of the frame 26. The boom arms 43 of each hoist 42 and 52 will be swung inwardly over the frame and be suitably secured in position. The extensions 55b 60b and 55c 60c will be removed from the bedframe 26 and the extension 50 will be retracted. Thus, movement of the machine to the building site will be facilitated.

When the building site is reached, the leg units 33 are lowered to support the chassis frame and the set of wheels 39 at the adjustable side 26a of the frame 26 are removed. The section 26a of the frame is then adjusted by means of the screws 63 to the proper width and this will correspondingly adjust the width of the carriage 30b moving the adjustable section 30a thereof. The extensions 551: and 600 will be mounted on the bed-frame 26, as indicated in FIG. 2, before or after adjustment. The sections 55a and 60a will be mounted on the bedframe at the other end of the machine and the extension 50 will be pulled outwardly to properly position the mast 51 of the hoist 52.

The adjustment of the width of the bed-frame 26 will be determined by the length of the studs S to be assembled in the wall frame. The spacing of the saddles 77 on the frame 26 will be determined by the desired spacing of the studs in the assembled wall frame. As previously indicated, the saddles 77 can be readily adjusted along the supports 79. Assuming the indicated adjustments have been made, the plates P will be positioned longitudinally on the respective beams 55 and 60 against the longitudinally extending stops 75. Then the studs S will be positioned in the saddles 77 between the plates P with their ends abutting the plates. The earns 90 will be adjusted into alignment with the saddles 77 by moving them along the supports 91. The machine is now ready to operate.

The machine may now be operated to nail the plates P to the studs S and the operator first operates either or both valves V1 and V2 as deemed appropriate to actuate the cylindrical piston units 106 in forcing the respective rollers-103 down onto the plates P and hold the plates rigidly in position for nailing. Valves V3 and V4 are also operated to actuate the cylinder and piston units 129 to respective air-valves 122 and place the respective trigger 122a in operative relationship to the cams 90.

The operator then merely propels the carriage 30 along the bed-frame 26 in the proper direction by operating the control valves V7 and V8 to energize the hydraulic motors 112 for rotation in the appropriate direction at the desired speed. As the triggers 122a of valves 122 controlling the nailing guns 120 successively strike the longitudinally-spaced cams 90, they actuate the nailing guns 120 to nail the plates P to the studs S as indicated in FIGS. 13 and 14. As previously indicated, the successive studs S are nailed at different levels by the succeeding guns 120. The nailing is preferably accomplished by moving the carriage 30 from the middle of the bed-frame 26 outwardly. When the end of the bed-frame 26 is reached, and the studs S and plates P have beenassembled into the frame for the wall section, the nailing units 120 are de-activated by operating valves V3 and V4 to actuate the cylinder and piston units 129 to raise the air valves 122 and triggers 122a to prevent their engagement with the earns 90. Also, the valves V1 and V2 are operated to actuate the cylinder and piston units 106 to lift the rollers 103 out of engagement with the plates P. The wall board B is then placed on the assembled frame, as indicated in FIGS. 15 and 16. Then the carriage 130 is moved inwardly towards the center of the Bed-frame by operating the valves V7 and V8. As the location of each stud is reached, the operator then operates the valve V5 and controls the cylinders 145 to lower the row of stapling guns 130. As the triggers 131 of the row of stapling guns contact the board B, they automatically fire to force the staples F through the wall board B and into the studs S. Valve V5 is then operated to raise the stapling guns l20..IThis operation will be performed at each stud location by the operator lowering the row of guns 130 to bring the triggers 131 of the guns into contact with the wall board for actuation thereof.

It is usually necessary to form some wall units with window or door openings such as the door opening 0 in FIG. 18. This is readily accomplished by fabricating a subassembly wall unit comprising the studs S adjacent the opening and a header H nailed between these studs. This subassembly is placed on the machine bed-frame 26 with the studs positioned in the respective saddles 77 and subjected to the previously described nailing operation as well as stapling of the boards B. Thatportion of the board B covering the opening 0 can then be readily removed by the router 150. Assuming that it is desired to use the router in removing a section of the board B so as to form an opening 0 as in FIG. 18, the operator will first move the carriage 30 to the proper location longitudinally of the bed-frame 26 through operation of valves V7 and V8 and then move the router 150 transversely across the carriage by operation of the motor through activation of valves V9 and V10 to position the cutting blade 151 over the area of the opening. Vertical movement of the router will be accomplished by operating the cylinder and piston unit 161 by activation of valve V6 to force the cutting blade15l through the board B. Valves V7-Vl0 are then operated to cause the router cutting blade 15] to follow the desired frame opening defined by the studs S, heads H and plate P. Thus, all necessary movements of the router 150 can be accomplished to produce the desired opening 0 in the wall board for a door or window.

The completed wall unit would appear as in FIG. 17 or FIG. 18 and this can be removed from the machine by swinging the boom arm 43 of the associated hoist 42 or 52 over it, lowering the sling 45 and gripping it and then reverse the process to lift it from the machine. One end of the bed-frame 26 can be loaded with the studs and plates while the machine is assembling a section on the other end of the frame.

It will be apparent that the above described machine will produce wall frame sections with a minimum of labor and by the use of less costly labor. The wall section frame members will be accurately located relative to each other and held in exact relationship during assembly. Also, the wall-board can be easily and accu- I rately attached to the frame section. When completed, the wall sections can be lifted by one of the hoists provided on the machine. The machine is portable and can be moved readily from one site to another, being retractable to minimum width for ease in movement along highways or streets.

Having thus described my invention, what is claimed l. A machine for fabricating a building wall section or the like from frame members comprising a flat, elongated bed-frame for supporting the frame members in proper adjacent relative positions to be secured together and including first means for supporting certain frame members longitudinally in spaced parallel relationship and second means for supporting other frame members transversely of the longitudinal frame members with the ends of the transverse frame members in abutting relationship to the longitudinal frame members, said first means transversely adjustable to vary the distance between the longitudinal frame members and said second means longitudinally adjustable to vary the spacing of the transverse frame members; carriage movable longitudinally along said bedframe and tracks extending longitudinally of and carried by said bed-frame for guiding said carriage, said carriage carrying power tool units at opposite sides thereof to act on the longitudinal and transverse frame members to secure them together and triggers for actuating said units; and control means carried by said bed-frame to actuate the power tool unit as said carriage moves along said bed-frame to secure abutting frame members together, said control means including a plurality control cams independently adjustable longitudinally along said bed-frame for positioning in predetermined relationship to said second means supporting the transverse frame members for engaging said triggers as the carriage moves along said bed-frame.

2. A machine according to claim 1 in which said power tool units on said carriage include nailing guns, said means for supporting the longitudinal frame members comprising longitudinally extending horizontal supports on said bed-frame sections having upstanding stops for engaging the outer surfaces of the respective frame members, said nailing guns being loncated on said carriage for movement longitudinally of the bedframe along said stops so as to nail through the longitudinal frame members in contact with said stops and into the transverse frame members.

3. A machine according to claim 2 in which said nailing guns are disposed in pairs at each side of said carriage, said nailing guns having outlets for the nails and the guns of each pair at each side of said carriage being longitudinally spaced thereon and having their outlets located at different vertically spaced levels.

4. A machine according to claim 1 in which said carriage carries additional power units comprising fastening units adapted to fasten a sheet to the upper sides of the frame members supported on said bed-frame, said additional power units being disposed in a row on said carriage extending transversely of the bed-frame, said row of power units being supported on a transverse support mounted on said carriage for vertical movement, and means for raising and lowering said support to move said row of power units into cooperation with a sheet on the frame members.

5. A machine according to claim 4 in which said row of additional power units are supported in dependent relationship on the support and have triggers at their lower ends for actuating the respective power units upon contact of said triggers with the sheet.

6. A machine according to claim 4 in which said carriage carries an additional power tool unit in the form of a cutting unit for cutting holes in the sheet, said power tool unit being mounted on said carriage for both transverse and vertical movement relative thereon.

7. A machine according to claim 1 including a propelling unit mounted on said carriage for moving said carriage along said bed-frame and control means for said propelling unit.

8. A machine according to claim 4 including power means for moving said transverse support on said carriage vertically, and control means for controlling said power means.

9. A machine according to claim 6 including power means on said carriage for moving said power tool unit vertically and an additional power means on said carriage for moving said power tool unit transversely, and independent control means for controlling said respective power means.

10. A machine according to claim 1 in which said bed-frame is carried by a chassis which includes a frame carried by transporting wheels, said chassis frame carrying supporting leg units adjustable in a vertical direction to support the chassis frame independently of said wheels.

11. A machine according to claim 10 in which said chassis frame has a hoist unit mounted thereon at each end for handling wall sections assembled on the respective ends of said bed-frame, each of said hoist units having a boom arm swingable over said frame and having means for engaging and lifting a wall section.

12. A machine according to claim 11 in which said chassis frame has a tongue extension at its forward end by means of which it may be pulled, one of the hoist units being carried by said tongue extension and means for supporting the other hoist unit at the other end of the chassis frame, said means comprising a frame extension mounted on the chassis frame and extensible and retractible relative thereto.

13. A machine according to claim 3 in which said nailing guns are mounted on said carriage by means permitting selective independent vertical adjustment thereof relative to said bed-frame sections.

14. A machine for fabricating a building wall section or the like from frame members comprising a flat, elongated bed-frame including a plurality of sections relatively adjustable transversely for supporting the frame members in proper adjacent relative positions to be secured together and including first means for supporting certain frame members longitudinally in spaced parallel relationship and second means for supporting other frame members transversely of the longitudinal frame members with the ends of the transverse frame members in abutting relationship to the longitudinal frame members, said first means transversely adjustable with said bed-frame to vary the distance between the longitudinal frame members and said second means longitudinally adjustable relative to said bed-frame to vary the spacing of the transverse frame members;

a carriage movable longitudinally along said bedframe and tracks extending longitudinally of said bed-frame and carried by the relatively adjustable sections thereof for guiding said carriage, said carriage comprising a plurality of frame sections that are relatively adjustable transversely of said bedframe with transverse adjustment of said bedframe sections, said carriage carrying power tool units at opposite sides thereof to act on the longitudinal and transverse frame members to secure them together and triggers for actuating said units; and

control means carried by said bed-frame to actuate the power tool unit as said carriage moves along said bed-frame to secure abutting frame members together, said control means including a plurality control cams longitudinally adjustable along said bed-frame for positioning in predetermined relationship to said second means supporting the transverse frame members for engaging said triggers as the carriage moves along said bed-frame.

15. A machine according to claim 14 in which said bed-frame is carried by a chassis which includes a frame carried by transporting wheels, said chassis frame carrying supporting leg units adjustable in a vertical direction to support the chassis frame independently of said wheels, and one of said bed-frame sections being fixed to said chassis frame. 

1. A machine for fabricating a building wall section or the like from frame members comprising a flat, elongated bed-frame for supporting the frame members in proper adjacent relative positions to be secured together and including first means for supporting certain frame members longitudinally in spaced parallel relationship and second means for supporting other frame members transversely of the longitudinal frame members with the ends of the transverse frame members in abutting relationship to the longitudinal frame members, said first means transversely adjustable to vary the distance between the longitudinal frame members and said second means longitudinally adjustable to vary the spacing of the transverse frame members; a carriage movable longitudinally along said bed-frame and tracks extending longitudinally of and carried by said bedframe for guiding said carriage, said carriage carrying power tool units at opposite sides thereof to act on the longitudinal and transverse frame members to secure them together and triggers for actuating said units; and control means carried by said bed-frame to actuate the power tool unit as said carriage moves along said bed-frame to secure abutting frame members together, said control means including a plurality control cams independently adjustable longitudinally along said bed-frame for positioning in predetermined relationship to said second means supporting the transverse frame members for engaging said triggers as the carriage moves along said bed-frame.
 2. A machine according to claim 1 in which said power tool units on said carriage include nailing guns, said means for supporting the longitudinal frame members comprising longitudinally extending horizontal supports on said bed-frame sections having upstanding stops for engaging the outer surfaces of the respective frame members, said nailing guns being loncated on said carriage for movement longitudinally of the bed-frame along said stops so as to nail through the longitudinal frame members in contact with said stops and into the transverse frame members.
 3. A machine according to claim 2 in which said nailing guns are disposed in pairs at each side of said carriage, said nailing guns having outlets for the nails and the guns of each pair at each side of said carriage being longitudinally spaced thereon and having their outlets located at different vertically spaced levels.
 4. A machine according to claim 1 in which said carriage carries additional power units comprising fastening units adapted to fasten a sheet to the upper sides of tHe frame members supported on said bed-frame, said additional power units being disposed in a row on said carriage extending transversely of the bed-frame, said row of power units being supported on a transverse support mounted on said carriage for vertical movement, and means for raising and lowering said support to move said row of power units into cooperation with a sheet on the frame members.
 5. A machine according to claim 4 in which said row of additional power units are supported in dependent relationship on the support and have triggers at their lower ends for actuating the respective power units upon contact of said triggers with the sheet.
 6. A machine according to claim 4 in which said carriage carries an additional power tool unit in the form of a cutting unit for cutting holes in the sheet, said power tool unit being mounted on said carriage for both transverse and vertical movement relative thereon.
 7. A machine according to claim 1 including a propelling unit mounted on said carriage for moving said carriage along said bed-frame and control means for said propelling unit.
 8. A machine according to claim 4 including power means for moving said transverse support on said carriage vertically, and control means for controlling said power means.
 9. A machine according to claim 6 including power means on said carriage for moving said power tool unit vertically and an additional power means on said carriage for moving said power tool unit transversely, and independent control means for controlling said respective power means.
 10. A machine according to claim 1 in which said bed-frame is carried by a chassis which includes a frame carried by transporting wheels, said chassis frame carrying supporting leg units adjustable in a vertical direction to support the chassis frame independently of said wheels.
 11. A machine according to claim 10 in which said chassis frame has a hoist unit mounted thereon at each end for handling wall sections assembled on the respective ends of said bed-frame, each of said hoist units having a boom arm swingable over said frame and having means for engaging and lifting a wall section.
 12. A machine according to claim 11 in which said chassis frame has a tongue extension at its forward end by means of which it may be pulled, one of the hoist units being carried by said tongue extension and means for supporting the other hoist unit at the other end of the chassis frame, said means comprising a frame extension mounted on the chassis frame and extensible and retractible relative thereto.
 13. A machine according to claim 3 in which said nailing guns are mounted on said carriage by means permitting selective independent vertical adjustment thereof relative to said bed-frame sections.
 14. A machine for fabricating a building wall section or the like from frame members comprising a flat, elongated bed-frame including a plurality of sections relatively adjustable transversely for supporting the frame members in proper adjacent relative positions to be secured together and including first means for supporting certain frame members longitudinally in spaced parallel relationship and second means for supporting other frame members transversely of the longitudinal frame members with the ends of the transverse frame members in abutting relationship to the longitudinal frame members, said first means transversely adjustable with said bed-frame to vary the distance between the longitudinal frame members and said second means longitudinally adjustable relative to said bed-frame to vary the spacing of the transverse frame members; a carriage movable longitudinally along said bed-frame and tracks extending longitudinally of said bed-frame and carried by the relatively adjustable sections thereof for guiding said carriage, said carriage comprising a plurality of frame sections that are relatively adjustable transversely of said bed-frame with transverse adjustment of said bed-frame sections, said carriage carrying power toOl units at opposite sides thereof to act on the longitudinal and transverse frame members to secure them together and triggers for actuating said units; and control means carried by said bed-frame to actuate the power tool unit as said carriage moves along said bed-frame to secure abutting frame members together, said control means including a plurality control cams longitudinally adjustable along said bed-frame for positioning in predetermined relationship to said second means supporting the transverse frame members for engaging said triggers as the carriage moves along said bed-frame.
 15. A machine according to claim 14 in which said bed-frame is carried by a chassis which includes a frame carried by transporting wheels, said chassis frame carrying supporting leg units adjustable in a vertical direction to support the chassis frame independently of said wheels, and one of said bed-frame sections being fixed to said chassis frame. 